A direct judgment had been pronounced by the prophet Joel against these cities, and, what is remarkable, for the prosecution of this same barbarous traffic.

Thus, "And what have ye to do with me, O Tyre and Sidon, and all the coasts of Palestine?
Ye have cast lots for my people.

Ye have sold a girl for wine.

The children of Judah, and the children of Jerusalem, have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their own border.

Behold! I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will recompense your wickedness on your own heads." Such was the language of the prophet; and Tyre and Sidon fell, as he had pointed out, when the inhabitants were either cut off, or carried into slavery.
Having thrown out these ideas to the notice of the audience, I concluded in the following words:-- "If, then, we wish to avert the heavy national judgment which is hanging over our heads, (for must we not believe that our crimes towards the innocent Africans lie recorded against us in heaven ?) let us endeavour to assert their cause.